imported_Roopy4246
Juniors
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Kurt Gidley has been named for first grade this Friday for his first game.
I have just been listening to 2NX (Newcastle) and, in an interview about Friday nights game, Paul Harrogan said what I have been thinking (and saying) about young Kurt Gidley for months. Harrogan said the young guy will look like an under 7 player playing under 10s because he is so small, but anyone targetting him in defence is in for a surprize because he pulls down everyone, no matter how big. Harrogan said he is the most talented junior he has seen and urged people to get along to see the 'first game of a future superstar.' Harrogan stated that Kurt will handle the pressure like a champion.
I first saw Kurt in a trial game for the Flegg side earlier this year. I didn't have a team list so I was spotting the players I knew and just watching to see if anyone stood out. The young fullback came into the line on the sixth tackle and put in a grubber kick while running flat out at the line. The kick hit the legs of a player ten feet in front of him and the kid keep going and scooped the ball from the feet of the player before he could even realise what had happened. He then delivered a perfect pass to a player who was just jogging along beside him who strolled over the line without a hand being put on him.
At the time I thought it was the best bit of ball handling I had ever seen. I soon found that the young fella was Kurt Gidley, younger brother of Matt. Since that game I have been watching him like a hawk in all the Flegg and First div games I have seen him in. Like all gifted sportsmen he seems to have a second more time than the people he is playing against. He seems one step ahead at all times.
Kurt has scored 20 tries in 19 games in both Flegg and First Div. this year and I'm sure he has set up as many as he has scored. It is no coincidence that the Flegg side was on top of the table before he was promoted and the First Div team has won their last 8 games in a row since he became a regular in the side.
Every time I see him with the ball ten metres from the line I expect a try to be scored. He is amazing in traffic. He can step through two or three defenders, draw a few defenders and pop a perfect pass to a supporting player or simply run over the top of many much bigger players.
He has similar balance when running to Matt, meaning he can step off either foot at any time. His passing game is also similar to Matt's in that he often gets off the 'miracle' ball when he looks all but wrapped up, and it is just about always a good pass to a player in a better position. The area where he is better than Matt is in speed and elusiveness when running. He is 15 kg smaller than Matt and is a real will-o-the-wisp. Despite his lack of size he is amazingly strong and is never out muscled one on one.
Kurt is only 18 and will not be experienced enough or confident enough to really take this game by the scruff of the neck. I expect him to just go out and make a steady start to his first grade career before being dropped in favour of Rudder for the finals series.
I have just been listening to 2NX (Newcastle) and, in an interview about Friday nights game, Paul Harrogan said what I have been thinking (and saying) about young Kurt Gidley for months. Harrogan said the young guy will look like an under 7 player playing under 10s because he is so small, but anyone targetting him in defence is in for a surprize because he pulls down everyone, no matter how big. Harrogan said he is the most talented junior he has seen and urged people to get along to see the 'first game of a future superstar.' Harrogan stated that Kurt will handle the pressure like a champion.
I first saw Kurt in a trial game for the Flegg side earlier this year. I didn't have a team list so I was spotting the players I knew and just watching to see if anyone stood out. The young fullback came into the line on the sixth tackle and put in a grubber kick while running flat out at the line. The kick hit the legs of a player ten feet in front of him and the kid keep going and scooped the ball from the feet of the player before he could even realise what had happened. He then delivered a perfect pass to a player who was just jogging along beside him who strolled over the line without a hand being put on him.
At the time I thought it was the best bit of ball handling I had ever seen. I soon found that the young fella was Kurt Gidley, younger brother of Matt. Since that game I have been watching him like a hawk in all the Flegg and First div games I have seen him in. Like all gifted sportsmen he seems to have a second more time than the people he is playing against. He seems one step ahead at all times.
Kurt has scored 20 tries in 19 games in both Flegg and First Div. this year and I'm sure he has set up as many as he has scored. It is no coincidence that the Flegg side was on top of the table before he was promoted and the First Div team has won their last 8 games in a row since he became a regular in the side.
Every time I see him with the ball ten metres from the line I expect a try to be scored. He is amazing in traffic. He can step through two or three defenders, draw a few defenders and pop a perfect pass to a supporting player or simply run over the top of many much bigger players.
He has similar balance when running to Matt, meaning he can step off either foot at any time. His passing game is also similar to Matt's in that he often gets off the 'miracle' ball when he looks all but wrapped up, and it is just about always a good pass to a player in a better position. The area where he is better than Matt is in speed and elusiveness when running. He is 15 kg smaller than Matt and is a real will-o-the-wisp. Despite his lack of size he is amazingly strong and is never out muscled one on one.
Kurt is only 18 and will not be experienced enough or confident enough to really take this game by the scruff of the neck. I expect him to just go out and make a steady start to his first grade career before being dropped in favour of Rudder for the finals series.
